EUGENE, Ore. - Oregon three-year starter KC Serna was the eighth Oregon Duck selected in the 2011 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft when he was taken in the 42nd round by the Cleveland Indians today.

Serna, part of the Ducks’ middle infield tandem with Danny Pulfer (Arizona Diamondbacks, 19th round), has been UO’s starting shortstop for the last three seasons.

The native of Ventura, Calif., was part of Oregon’s original class as the Ducks brought back baseball for 2009 after the program was discontinued following the 1981 season.

In three years at Oregon, Serna was named to the 2010 Norwich All-Regional Team, and was also a 2010 Pac-10 honorable mention selection following his sophomore campaign.

During his career in an UO uniform, Serna has batted .276 in 161 games. His 163 career hits rank second all-time in program history while his 93 career runs scored rank seventh.

In addition, Serna’s 26 career doubles rank third all-time while his 10 home runs are the most any UO player has recorded over the last three seasons.

Serna, the 1,268th overall selection of the 2011 MLB Draft, also used his speed to steal 35 bases in his career, a total that ranks second all-time at Oregon. Defensively, Serna helped turn 92 double plays in his last three years for the Ducks.

In 2011 as a junior, Serna batted a modest .232 with 34 runs scored, 22 RBIs and 12 stolen bases.

During his sophomore season, Serna led the Ducks batting .348 with 81 hits – a UO single-season record – as well as 13 doubles, 37 runs driven in, 45 runs scored, 14 stolen bases and a .476 slugging percentage.

Serna is Oregon’s 36th draft selection in the history of the program and the 15th pick since UO baseball returned to the diamond in 2009. Serna is also the fourth UO position player to be drafted since 2009.